Chapter 15 Verse 3-4
Puruṣhottam Yog
न रूपमस्येह तथोपलभ्यते नान्तो न चादिर्न च संप्रतिष्ठा।अश्वत्थमेनं सुविरूढमूल मसङ्गशस्त्रेण दृढेन छित्त्वा।।15.3।। ततः पदं तत्परिमार्गितव्य यस्मिन्गता न निवर्तन्ति भूयः।तमेव चाद्यं पुरुषं प्रपद्ये यतः प्रवृत्तिः प्रसृता पुराणी।।15.4।।
na rūpam asyeha tathopalabhyate nānto na chādir na cha sampratiṣhṭhā aśhvattham enaṁ su-virūḍha-mūlam asaṅga-śhastreṇa dṛiḍhena chhittvā tataḥ padaṁ tat parimārgitavyaṁ yasmin gatā na nivartanti bhūyaḥ tam eva chādyaṁ puruṣhaṁ prapadye yataḥ pravṛittiḥ prasṛitā purāṇī
Word Meanings
| na | not |
| rūpam | form |
| asya | of this |
| iha | in this world |
| tathā | as such |
| upalabhyate | is perceived |
| na | neither |
| antaḥ | end |
| na | nor |
| cha | also |
| ādiḥ | beginning |
| na | never |
| cha | also |
| sampratiṣhṭhā | the basis |
| aśhvattham | sacred fig tree |
| enam | this |
| su-virūḍha-mūlam | deep-rooted |
| asaṅga-śhastreṇa | by the axe of detachment |
| dṛiḍhena | strong |
| chhittvā | having cut down |
| tataḥ | then |
| padam | place |
| tat | that |
| parimārgitavyam | one must search out |
| yasmin | where |
| gatāḥ | having gone |
| na | not |
| nivartanti | return |
| bhūyaḥ | again |
| tam | to him |
| eva | certainly |
| cha | and |
| ādyam | original |
| puruṣham | the Supreme Lord |
| prapadye | take refuge |
| yataḥ | whence |
| pravṛittiḥ | the activity |
| prasṛitā | streamed forth |
| purāṇi | very old |
Translation
Its form is not perceived here as such, nor its end, origin, foundation, or resting place; having cut asunder this firmly rooted peepul tree with the strong axe of non-attachment. Then, that goal should be sought for, to which, having gone, none returns again. I seek refuge in that Primeval Purusha, from whence streamed forth the ancient activity or energy.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
The verse uses the image of an upside-down banyan (fig) tree to show that the world we see has no fixed form, true beginning, end, or lasting support. Our sense of permanence is mistaken; the tree of life keeps sending out roots and branches of endless desire and attachment.
To free ourselves, we must cut this tree with the strong axe of non-attachment — a steady practice of letting go of clinging to things, roles, and outcomes. Detachment is not indifference but a clear separation from compulsive wants.
Beyond this cutting is a goal or place from which no one returns — a state of final freedom and rest. The verse points to taking refuge in the Primeval Purusha (the Supreme Self or God), the deep source from which all activity originally sprang, as the real shelter and aim of life.
Life Application
- Notice one recurring attachment (a habit, role, or desire) and practice small acts of letting go each day — say “not now” or reduce time spent on it.
- Turn actions into offerings: do your duties without clinging to results to weaken the habit of wanting and aversion.
- Cultivate a simple daily refuge: short prayer, meditation, or honest surrender to a higher reality to steady the mind toward lasting peace.
Reflection Question
What one habit or attachment could I begin to loosen today to make space for deeper peace?